Fungi of all sorts are common in Florida’s warm wet climate. We notice them most when they decide to cause problems such as black spot on roses, brown spots in our lawn, spots on leaves or grass blades,… Read More
Lethal bronzing, a fatal palm tree disease, has been confirmed in Marion County. This disease was first discovered in Florida in 2006. Up until last year it was confirmed in the majority of south Florida and north into… Read More
It never fails, around April or May each year the UF/IFAS Extension Service gets inundated with calls from distressed homeowners and landscapers about dying lawns. This year has proven no different. Multiple grass samples have been analyzed by… Read More
Several years ago over three consecutive Januarys, I received a call from a resident with questions about termite control. I remember this individual, for his accent was very distinct and the question was always the same. He was… Read More
Stinging Nettle Have you ever been weeding your garden and pulled on a weed that bit back? There is a weed that looks common enough that you think nothing of trying to pull it with bare hands. The… Read More
As spring approaches, we should all be aware that our pest problems will reappear. There are many types of pests to consider: insects, weeds, nematodes, and even some vertebrate species (such as the Cuban tree frog). When combined… Read More
As the year draws to a close and trees shed their leaves I think of mistletoe. A kiss under the mistletoe may seem a harmless holiday tradition, but mistletoe is a somewhat dangerous plant. To begin with, mistletoe… Read More
We’ve all heard about thinning hair, but there have been many calls recently about lawns looking thin as well. Rather than lush green grass, many homeowners are facing lawns with bare spots of dirt, or grass that is… Read More
While the official hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through the end of November, hurricanes and tropical storms are most likely to develop when the waters of the Atlantic Ocean are warmest, typically in August and September…. Read More
By solarizing your vegetable garden, you can kill weed seeds and pests in the soil, including nematodes, (tiny worm-like organisms that feed on plant roots) without using chemicals. Basically, you will be covering your garden with clear plastic… Read More
